Cool KIDS' SUMMER Returns May 2026

The big news (sort of) this week out of Disney World is the officially-scheduled return of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER (formerly “Cool Kid Summer”) in 2026. Disney has given us dates and some details—though never as much as I’d like. So let’s get talking about what we can expect from Cool KIDS’ SUMMER this year!

Basics of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

At its heart, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is an enigma. Well, no, it’s mostly a marketing effort with a touch of real-world razzmatazz. It’s summer by some other name, but one that smells just a tad sweeter because of it. Following?

Me neither. Fine—Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is a resort-wide event at Walt Disney World that will return May 26 to September 8, 2026. There are unique offerings as part of the event, and we’ll discuss those. But first…deals!

Deals Announced for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

Alongside the first Cool KIDS’ SUMMER details, Disney World announced two (or four, depending on how you count) new deals that cover the event dates:

  • An “add two days” package promo covering May 26 to September 15, 2026, which must be booked January 6 through February 15, 2026

  • A room only offer that goes up to 30% off (35% for Florida residents, 40% for passholders) covering May 1 to October 4, 2026 that can presumably be booked while supplies last

And Kids Dine Free is still available for 2026.

Water Park Paradise Returns for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

Fitting neatly into the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER timeframe is the return of the check-in day water park perk and days with both water parks open.

Guests of Disney resorts will have complimentary access to both water parks on their check-in days between May 26 and September 8, 2026. This has to be used on your check-in day (or not at all).

And that’s right—both water parks will be open again this summer. While Disney has mostly kept only one water park open at a time over the last few years, summer 2025 saw the return of both water parks being open, and we’ll get that arrangement again at least from May 26 to September 8, 2026.

GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall Returns to EPCOT

CommuniCore Hall is a flex space in EPCOT, and for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER it will again be transformed into “GoofyCore.” This is something of a dance-and-play party, with Goofy, a DJ, and a variety of games.

It’s worth mentioning here—there’s a reason it’s “Cool” KIDS’ SUMMER. Summer in Florida is not usually cool. So, along with the water park option, the philosophy behind the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER activities is to give people indoor or shaded places to cool off. And there’s a new one coming this year…

Jessie’s Roundup Debuts at Magic Kingdom

Taking over The Diamond Horseshoe restaurant at Magic Kingdom, “Jessie’s Roundup” will be a “rootin’ tootin’ good time” where you’ll have the chance to “craft, dance, and yodel your hearts out in this western revue” alongside Jessie, Woody, and friends.

Based on this description, it sounds like The Diamond Horseshoe won’t be operating as a restaurant this time—it’ll just be an indoor (“cool”) space for these activities. It wouldn’t be Cool KIDS’ SUMMER without just a tad of ambiguity as to exactly what things will look like, but it’s unlikely something like this is going to be behind a reservation wall.

Special Character Appearances Return

Characters will once again appear during Early Entry and guests at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Port Orleans Riverside will see special character appearances. (These are distinct from the character caravan, I guess).

Things I Haven’t Seen Mentioned Yet

There are a few elements of last year’s event that I haven’t seen mentioned yet:

  • “Kid Zones” at Magic Kingdom. Storybook Circus hosted a dance party “full of pop-up silliness with Pluto" alongside stilt walkers and jugglers. And in Tomorrowland, Rocket Tower Plaza Stage hosted a dance party with Stitch, and Merchant of Venus hosted an "out-of-this-world craft.”

  • Animal Kingdom Offerings. It’s possible these are excluded because Animal Kingdom is getting Bluey, but last year Rafiki’s Planet Watch hosted crafting, and there was a limited time Wilderness Explorers Badge

  • Animation Courtyard Offerings. This one is not surprising—Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios is in the midst of a huge renovation, so its not surprising to see the character greetings and other activities dropped this year.

Other Not Cool Things Are Also Happening This Summer

Along with giving us the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER dates, Disney also reminds us that other things are happening. But these are strictly not cool (or not “cool”, or maybe “cool” but not confined to summer):

  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios) gets a new storyline May 22

  • Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! (Hollywood Studios) debuts summer 2026

  • Bluey and Bingo at Conservation Station (Animal Kingdom) debut summer 2026

  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) returns spring 2026 (Disney doesn’t mention Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) returning spring 2026 in that post because…who knows)

  • Zootopia: Better Zoogether! (Animal Kingdom) debuted in the actually cool November of 2025

  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets (Hollywood Studios) debuts summer 2026

  • Soarin’ Across America (EPCOT) debuts by May 25

My Commentary On Cool KIDS’ SUMMER

This section contains commentary from the initial announcement that Cool KIDS’ SUMMER would return. But I’ve replaced references to “Cool Kid Summer” with “Cool KIDS’ SUMMER.”

Cool KIDS’ SUMMER will return in 2026. Disney has not announced more than that yet, but I wanted to take this chance to add some some quick commentary.

Based on what I saw and experienced, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER actually was better than many commentators—myself included—were expecting. GoofyCore was an amazing indoor escape for families, and Get Animated! gave kids a chance to actually interact with their favorite characters.

There are a few reasons I’m hoping for a bit more from 2026:

  • Heading into 2026, I’d simply like to see Disney market and brand this better. At the very least, they had the summer to grab marketing content (photos, videos) so that should help. You can see a mid-summer marketing effort here.

  • And in 2026 they won’t be hampered by timing—the launch of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER coinciding with the debut of a brand new theme park from Universal, just down the street, sort of made everyone roll their eyes.

  • The 2025 event was awkwardly co-marketed with the launch of the two new shows at Hollywood Studios, plus some ticket deals. The ticket deals make sense, but I hope next year Disney gives Cool KIDS’ SUMMER its own clear purpose, distinct from any other happenings at the resort.

I’m excited to see what 2026’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER looks like, and I’ll be updating this post as more details are announced.

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